Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c predicts coronary artery disease in non-diabetic patients
1Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can predict coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in non-diabetic individuals. Elevated HbA1c levels indicate increased probability and severity of CAD, serving as a valuable primary care tool.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Primary care requires simple, cost-effective tools for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk assessment.
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is investigated as a potential predictor of CAD.
- The study focuses on non-diabetic individuals without elevated HbA1c levels (≥6.5%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of HbA1c for coronary artery disease.
- To determine if HbA1c can serve as a simple risk assessment tool in primary care.
- To explore the association between HbA1c levels and the degree of coronary artery stenosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective screening of patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Exclusion of patients with diabetes or HbA1c ≥6.5%.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for stenosis positivity.
Main Results:
- HbA1c levels showed a statistically significant difference across stenosis groups (P<.01).
- An HbA1c cutoff of 5.6 and above was identified for stenosis positivity.
- HbA1c was an independent risk factor for CAD, with a 12.4-fold increased risk per unit increase.
Conclusions:
- HbA1c is a valuable independent marker for assessing CAD probability and severity in non-diabetic individuals.
- HbA1c can be utilized as an effective tool in primary care for predicting CAD.
- The findings support the use of HbA1c for early CAD risk stratification.
Background:
In primary care, there is a need for simple and cost-effective tool that will allow the determination of the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to research the value of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the prediction of coronary artery disease.
Methods:
Patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Cardiology for angiography were retrospectively screened. Patients with diabetes or with HbA1c of 6.5 or above were excluded. Comparative HbA1c data were obtained according to the stenosis groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors affecting stenosis positivity.
Results:
Of the study group, 120 patients were without any stenosis in any coronary artery, 56 patients were with >50% stenosis in one coronary artery, and 71 patients were with >50% stenosis in more than one coronary artery. There was a statistically significant difference between HbA1c measurements according to the degree of stenosis (P = .001 and P < .01, respectively). The odd ratio for HbA1c was 6.260 (95% CI: 3,160-12,401). According to the stenosis positivity, the cutoff point for HbA1c was found to be 5.6 and above. In the regression analysis, HbA1c was an independent risk factor for CAD. One unit increase in HbA1c level increases the risk of stenosis up to 12.4-fold (95% CI: 5,990-25,767).
Conclusion:
The study showed HbA1c can be used as an independent marker in determining the probability and severity of coronary artery disease in non-diabetic individuals and as a useful marker in primary care predicting CAD.
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